America's most honest mechanic passed away on January 3, 2025 surrounded by his eight children in Waterloo, IA.
Dean Ray Wagner was born August 1, 1938, to Howard (dec.) and Carolyn (Schwinger) Wagner (dec.) in Faulkner, IA. He was raised on a farm with his seven siblings: Shirley Munier, Fanny Hansen, Merle Wagner, Mildred Stevenson, David Wagner (dec.), Jimmie Wagner (dec.) and Dale Wagner (dec.).
As a teenager he pursued the love of his life, Mary Caldwell Wagner (dec.), with the loveliest of gestures. Between the hundreds of love letters to his sweetheart, he purchased her a transistor radio so they could listen to the same tunes together from afar.
After the young couple married on September 17, 1960 they grew their family of two to ten in a short few years; Roxanna Wagner Parecki (Mario), Dean Wagner II (Robbie), Carol Kugel (Larry), Debra Borwig (Todd), Ann Wagner (Troy), Julie Lawrence (Brian), Glenda Harms (Mike) and Melissa Wolters (Doug).
In his early years he was a mechanic at Duffy's DX in Waterloo, IA followed by time building Waterloo Boy tractors at John Deere and later opening Wagner Automotive Service with his son. He shared his mechanical brilliance with everyone, but especially his kids while they raced quarter midgets, teaching them all how to change their own oil and how to fix flats. Once the kids were older, he became lead mechanic for his son's racing team, the Wagner Ten. He tooled around Tunis Speedway during hot laps and mechanics races. On more than one occasion, the Wagner Ten brought home a trophy from the track.
Every summer he and Mary would load the family into the station wagon and crisscross the Midwest. He enjoyed the open road and creating memories along the way.
Family meant everything to him, especially his grandkids; Chad Allen (Emilio Sotelo), Jack Allen (Lindsey), Deana Owens (Bryan), Larissa Parecki, Josh Parecki, Emily Harris (Patrick), Corey Wagner (Kristen), Ashley Langdale (Travis), Travis Ross, Cortney Warm, Mark Warm, Mitchel (Amanda) Warm, Jessica Bloker (Roger, dec.), Jordan Borwig, Victoria Medlin, Adam Lawrence (dec.), Justin Lawrence, Grace Viktora (Taylor), Connor Harms, Bailey Wolters, Tylor Wolters and Cole Wolters.
He loved visits from his great and great-great grandkids; Isaiah, Devan, Danali, Imani, Ayana, A'Ria, Kaleb (Shayna), Hezekiah, Maximus, Savannah, Anna Belle, Logan, Harper, Hayden, Hudson, Braelyn, Ava, Chloe, Tristan, JdyinnRose, Brooklynn, Ayden and Briggs.
He had a few civic opinions from time to time, many joking that he had a direct line to the Mayor of Waterloo. He would make a call when potholes needed filling or the alley needed snow plowing and within twenty-four hours the requests would be fulfilled. Once when he was in the hospital his cell phone rang and wouldn't you believe it was the actual Mayor of Waterloo checking in on him.
As an active member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, he made certain the grounds were always mowed, shoveled and tidy. He enjoyed the comradery with his fellow congregants during worship and special friend Ruth Barrow, as well as during regular beef and noodle dinners.
If you were ever lucky enough to have spent time with him, you would know what a funny fella he was, always recalling past adventures and telling inappropriate jokes at just the right time. He was the guy you always wanted in your corner with his unending love and support.